FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES

Steve Marsh & Stuart Allen

2015-16 Barclays Premier League

DARREN RANDOLPH Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper arrives on a free transfer from Championship side BIRMINGHAM CITY

9 June 2015

West Ham United announce the appointment of Slaven Bilic as the Club's new manager in succession to SAM ALLARDYCE.

The 46-year-old will become the 15th full-time manager in the Hammers' 120-year history, returning to the Club he played for 54 times,

on a three-year contract.

10 June 2015

PEDRO OBIANG signs from Italian side SAMPDORIA

for an undisclosed fee

20 June 2015

MARTIN SAMUELSEN signs from MANCHESTER CITY

26 June 2015

DIMITRI PAYET signs from OLYMPIQUE de MARSEILLE (France) for an undisclosed fee

FC LUSITANS : UEFA Europa League (First Qualifying round - 1st leg)

Randolph

Tomkins

Jarvis

Zarate (Parfitt-Williams)

Sakho (Lee)

O'Brien (Cullen)

Amalfitano

Poyet

Burke

Oxford

Page

Upton Park

3 - 0 (Sakho 2, Tomkins)

2 July 2015

Att: 34,966

Ref: Vadims Direktorenko

The Hammers qualified for the Europa League qualifying stages via the Fair Play League and their reward was a first match of the 2015-16 season 40 days after the final Premier League match of the 2014-15 campaign.

West Ham began their long journey towards the Europa League group stage with a comfortable first-leg victory over Andorran side Lusitanos. Striker Diafra Sakho scored twice and James Tomkins added a third to put the Hammers in control of the first qualifying-round tie. They were watched by a capacity crowd of about 35,000, as well as new manager Slaven Bilic, who was in the stands but not in charge.

Despite the lack of a significant summer break, there was an upbeat atmosphere at Upton Park, with Bilic receiving a rousing reception when he was presented to the crowd before kick-off. With the 46-year-old Croat assuming a watching brief, academy manager Terry Westley took charge, and he had to endure a frustrating wait before seeing his side make the breakthrough. Despite their dominance, it took until the 40th minute for the Hammers to take the lead, Senegal striker Sakho heading in from six yards after Mauro Zarate's cross from the right. They doubled their advantage just before half-time when Sakho converted Morgan Amalfitano's cutback from close range. Sakho and Zarate were two of the more senior players in a line-up which mixed experience and youth. Midfielder Reece Oxford was given his debut and, in the process, the 16-year-old became the youngest player to represent the club. But it was experience which made the difference, Tomkins adding the third goal from a Matt Jarvis cross just before the hour mark with a close-range header to put West Ham in control of the tie.

New West Ham boss Slaven Bilic made a winning start as his 10-man team eased through their opening Europa League tie against Andorran minnows Lusitanos. The Croatian took charge for the first time and watched his youthful team follow up a 3-0 first-leg win with a comfortable victory in the return game. The Hammers played with 10 men for over 75 minutes after Diafra Sakho saw red for clashing with a home defender. But Elliot Lee slotted in the winner with his first senior Hammers goal. Bilic, 46, was accused by Lusitanos manager Xavi Roura of "lacking respect" for not taking charge of last week's reverse fixture. The former West Ham and Everton defender watched from the Boleyn Ground main stand as academy manager Terry Westley oversaw the win. But Bilic took control of a return leg which saw West Ham set up a second qualifying round tie against Maltese side Birkirkara on 16 and 23 July. The Hammers must progress through three more rounds to earn a slot in the group stage.

James Tomkins scored a 90th-minute winner to earn West Ham United a narrow Europa League second qualifying round first leg lead over Malta's Birkirkara. The Hammers dominated possession but failed to make it count until defender Tomkins chested home from a corner. In front of a crowd of 33,048, Modibo Maiga hit a post for the hosts, while skipper Kevin Nolan went close with an acrobatic volley. Birkirkara went closest through Liliu, the return leg taking place on 23 July.

West Ham have won a game which looked like being 0-0 by nicking a goal at the end. It will be a different game away from home. Birkirkara played like it was a cup final for them. Can they work that hard again? If West Ham had won 5-0 Slaven Bilic could have left his key men at home next week but now they will all have to go to Malta.

16 July 2015

STEWART DOWNING has rejoined hometown club Middlesbrough on a four-year deal.

The 30-year-old steps down a division from the Premier League

after completing a deal worth £5.5m that could rise to £7m if Boro are promoted.

West Ham scraped through to the Europa League third qualifying round after beating Malta's Birkirkara on penalties. The Hammers led 1-0 after the first leg, but striker Fabrizio Miccoli slid in to restore parity on aggregate. Both sides had a man sent off; James Tomkins was dismissed after 45 minutes for pushing Nikola Vukanac and Mauricio Mazzetti followed in extra time. The Hammers scored all five penalties, with Diego Poyet scoring the winner. West Ham will now face Romanian side Astra - who beat Scottish side Inverness - and still need to negotiate their way through that two-legged tie plus a play-off round to reach the group stages of the competition. On this showing, they will need a significant improvement. None of the club's seven summer signings played, while Enner Valencia and Winston Reid both missed out at a hot Ta' Qali National Stadium. Having replaced Sam Allardyce in the summer, manager Slaven Bilic's side were desperately disappointing and struggled against a side ranked 360th on the Uefa coefficients list. Birkirkara - the Maltese Cup winners - were tenacious in the tackle and employed tactics that frustrated their opponents, with former Italy international Miccoli and midfielder Mark Noble both booked after a heated exchange. Further controversy followed when centre-back Tomkins was sent off after grabbing Vukanac and throwing the defender to the ground as they jostled before a Hammers corner. The referee waited for the ensuing scuffle to clear before showing Vukanac a yellow card and Tomkins, who scored the only goal last week, red. West ham created virtually nothing, although winger Matt Jarvis had a low drive smothered by goalkeeper Justin Haber - his team's only shot on target in the match. At the other end, they were punished as Brazilian forward Liliu drilled in a low cross which Miccoli converted after beating Joey O'Brien to the ball. The impressive defender Mazzetti was dismissed with 12 minutes of normal time remaining for a second booking and West Ham substitute Modibo Maiga had a late goal ruled out for offside. But after struggling in the heat, the Londoners kept their cool during the penalty shootout

West Ham's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League group stages suffered a setback as they were held after leading 2-0 against Romania's Astra Giurgiu. Goals by Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate put the Hammers in control of the third qualifying round before James Collins's dismissal changed the game. Fernando Boldrin pulled a goal back before Angelo Ogbonna headed past his own keeper while attempting to clear. West Ham now face a tough test in the second leg in Romania on 6 August. The Hammers had been control for almost an hour before Collins's red card turned the tie upside down and left Slaven Bilic's side with it all to do next week. Having required penalties to see off Birkirkara in Malta in the previous round, West Ham are not making life easy for themselves in Europe. They qualified for the Europa League through the Fair Play League but for the second successive game they had a player sent off. Collins, who had already been booked, would have had few complaints after pulling Constantin Budescu's shirt in the 59th minute. The Hammers should have been more than 2-0 up by that stage, Ogbonna and Mauro Zarate both frustrated by keeper Silviu Lung Jr. As if losing a 2-0 lead was not enough, West Ham lost goalscorer Valencia to what looked like a serious injury. The Ecuador forward was carried off on a stretcher soon after falling awkwardly, moments after defender Joey O'Brien had gone off with a suspected hamstring problem. Valencia's powerful header had set the tone for a dominant Hammers first-half performance before the hosts imploded.

Slaven Bilic stood by his decision to rest a host of first-team regulars as West Ham crashed out of the Europa League to Astra Giurgiu. The Hammers boss had said in the days leading up to the game that he was prioritising Sunday's Premier League opener at Arsenal over this third qualifying round tie, and the much-changed side picked in Romania slumped to a 2-1 defeat. Having come from behind to draw 2-2 at Upton Park last week, Astra finished the job on Thursday evening to advance to the play-off round, while West Ham's latest jaunt into European football ended prematurely. Everything looked to be going well as Bilic, seated in the stands after being sent off towards the end of the first leg, saw debutant Manuel Lanzini open the scoring for his side inside the opening three minutes. But two quick-fire goals from Astra skipper Constantin Budescu before half-time did for West Ham's hopes.

West Ham United kicked off the new season in style, winning 2-0 at Arsenal thanks to goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate. Slaven Bilic could not have asked for a better to start to life as a Barclays Premier League manager, orchestrating the Hammers' first win at Emirates Stadium since 2007 and arresting a run of ten straight defeats to the Gunners. The 3,000 travelling fans were in dreamland when Kouyate rose to head their side into a 43rd minute lead, and it got better soon after the restart as Mauro Zarate fired home from long range. Arsenal huffed and puffed but struggled to break a resilientr Hammers side down as the east Londoners claimed the derby bragging rights. The big pre-match news was that the Hammers handed a league debut to Reece Oxford, making the Academy product the youngest ever Hammer to play in the Premier League.

LEICESTER CITY : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

1 - 2 (Payet)

15 August 2015

Att: 34,857

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Adrian

Jenkinson

Reid

Ogbonna

Cresswell

Oxford (Obiang)

Kouyate (Lanzini)

Noble

Payet

Sakho

Zarate (Maiga)

West Ham United came back down to earth with a Barclays Premier League bump, as Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City made it six out of six with victory at the Boleyn Ground. The Foxes were two goals to the good at the interval, courtesy of Shinji Okazaki on the rebound from point-blank range and then Riyad Mahrez's sweet left-foot finish. Dimitri Payet halved the Hammers' arrears ten minutes after the break, beating Kasper Schmeichel with a glorious strike into the top corner.That, however, was about as good as it got in a largely frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who had Adrian harshly sent off late on for a high challenge on Jamie Vardy. Slaven Bilic made just one change to the side that swept Arsenal aside, with Carl Jenkinson, ineligible against his parent club on Sunday, replacing the unfortunate James Tomkins at right-back.

REECE BURKE joins BRADFORD CITY on Youth Loan for an initial period until 20 September 2015.

West Ham United slipped to a second successive home defeat in the Barclays Premier League, as a Callum Wilson hat-trick earned the Cherries their first ever top-flight points. In a topsy-turvy affair, the Cherries could well have been out of sight by the interval. Wilson was twice the beneficiary of Aaron Cresswell errors, with Eddie Howe's men two up inside half an hour. But it was West Ham with all the momentum after the interval. Having been felled by Joshua King, Mark Noble halved the Hammers' arrears from the spot, before Cheikhou Kouyate completed the comeback on the rebound. The pendulum, however, would swing once more. Marc Pugh restored the Cherries' advantage with a tidy right-foot finish and then Carl Jenkinson saw red for hauling down Max Gradel when in on goal. Wilson tucked home the spot-kick to earn the match ball and though Modibo Maiga strode through to bring West Ham back within one, it was to merely prove a consolation.

The 33-year-old has departed the Hammers after four years, 157 games and 31 goals

West Ham United secured their second historic win of the season with a dominant 3-0 win at Anfield. Goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho broke the 62 year barren run. Added to that a red card apiece and this game really had a bit of everything. Slaven Bilic made two changes to the side that lost to Bournemouth a week earlier, James Tomkins replaced the suspended Carl Jenkinson while Manuel Lanzini made his first Premier League start. Bilic’s decision to blood the young Argentinian paid dividends immediately as the winger latched onto Aaron Cresswell’s cross-come-shot, rolling it past Simon Mignolet from close range after just three minutes. The Claret and Blues doubled their lead just shy of the half hour mark as Lanzini robbed a backpedalling Dejan Lovren, he burst into the box and tried to lay off Sakho. A desperate block presented Mark Noble with a golden opportunity; the captain kept his composure to place in it the far corner.

The second half was just as high octane. Brendan Rodgers shuffled his pack by switching to 3-5-2. The Reds started with much more intent and purpose however their wings were somewhat clipped when Philippe Coutinho received a second booking for an ill-judged challenge on Payet.

Rodgers responded by bringing on Danny Ings yet Liverpool’s never-say-die-attitude could do nothing to ware away at the Hammers’ resolve. To a man they were simply superb. Bilic’s men pressed and harried, making good use of their extra man.

With ten minutes remaining Noble was controversially given a straight red card for a fulsome tackle. Neither he nor his teammates could believe their eyes. Nevertheless, the Hammers carried on unperturbed. Reece Oxford and Josh Cullen, making his Premier League bow, reinforced tiring legs. Initially a doubt before the match, Sakho put the Hammers into dreamland by netting a third, slotting coolly past Mignolet. 3-0 away at Anfield. A day no one connected to West Ham will ever forget.

NEWCASTLE UNITED : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

2 - 0 (Payet 2)

14 September 2015

Att: 34,907

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Randolph

Tomkins

Reid

Ogbonna (Jenkinson)

Cresswell

Noble

Kouyate

Poyet

Lanzini (Obiang)

Moses (Carroll)

Sakho

Victor Moses makes his Hammers debut at Upton Park

In front of a packed Boleyn Ground under the lights, an air of excitement tinged with expectation was rewarded with a 2-0 win thanks to a Dimitri Payet brace. The Frenchmen put in a sparkling performance to help the Hammers record their first home win under Slaven Bilic. While Payet shone, a supporting cast of Mark Noble, Cheikhou Kouyate and Victor Moses supported admirably as the Hammers got off to a brilliant start as the French playmaker demonstrated his class by curling an effort into the top right-hand corner after nine minutes. While the hosts were certainly in the ascendency, Newcastle had their fair share of opportunities. Georginio Wijnaldum burst through the midfield before laying fellow countryman Daryl Janmaat who forced a smart save from Darren Randolph with an outstretched leg. The half ended on a disappointing note as Angelo Ogbonna, enjoying a terrific start to life in Claret and Blue, had to be replaced by Carl Jenkinson with what looked to be a hamstring injury.

Upon resumption of play, the Irons were certainly fired up, and inspired by a combination of their forebears and Bilic’s half-time sentiments, raced out of the traps. Moses tore down the flank and fired a wicked shot goalward. With Krul beaten all ends up, the crossbar came to the Magpies’ rescue, albeit briefly. The ball fell to Payet who didn’t need to think twice, as he placed it nonchalantly between goalkeeper and defender. Two-nil, too good.

With ten minutes remaining, de Jong fired a fierce effort which deflected wickedly and was diverted only by Randolph’s outstretched fingertips. There was just enough time for Andy Carroll to make a five minute cameo; his introduction was met with a huge ovation.

MANCHESTER CITY : Barclays Premier League

Etihad Stadium

2 - 1 (Moses, Sakho)

19 September 2015

Att: 53,545

Ref: Robert Madley

Adrian

Jenkinson (Collins)

Tomkins

Reid

Cresswell

Noble

Obiang

Lanzini (Jelavic)

Payet

Moses (Antonio)

Sakho

Printers Proof Copy

This one-off proof copy given to collector Mark Waight from the publisher, content inside is exactly the same as the pirate edition shown left

Manchester City missed the chance to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League as West Ham produced a clinical counter-attacking display at Etihad Stadium. Victor Moses drilled in his first West Ham goal with a low 20-yard shot which crept inside Joe Hart's left-hand post. The visitors doubled their lead when Diafra Sakho hooked in from six yards. City's record signing Kevin De Bruyne fired in to halve the deficit, but West Ham held on to move into second place. Yaya Toure's angled shot whistled past the Hammers' post after the break, while away keeper Adrian made a string of excellent saves. City dominated the game, controlling 72% of possession and attempting 27 shots at goal, but were unable to find a way past an away side who are now three points behind them.

Leicester City beat West Ham United 2-1 after extra time in the Capital One Cup third round thanks to Andy King's last-gasp header at the King Power Stadium. The game was level after 90 minutes, with Joe Dodoo opening the scoring early on for the home side, before Mauro Zarate levelled matters up just before the half-hour mark. However, with the tie heading towards penalties, midfielder King rose majestically to head Claudio Ranieri's side into the fourth-round draw.

NORWICH CITY : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

2 - 2 (Kouyate, Sakho)

26 September 2015

Att: 34,857

Ref: Mike Dean

Adrian

Jenkinson

Tomkins

Reid

Cresswell

Kouyate

Noble (Zarate)

Lanzini (Carroll)

Payet

Moses (Obiang)

Sakho

SUNDERLAND : Barclays Premier League

Stadium of Light

2 - 2 (Jenkinson, Payet)

3 October 2015

Att: 42,932

Ref: Neil Swarbrick

Adrian

Jenkinson

Tomkins

Reid (Collins)

Cresswell

Kouyate

Noble (Zarate)

Lanzini

Payet

Moses (Jelavic)

Sakho

CRYSTAL PALACE : Barclays Premier League

Selhurst Park

3 - 1 (Jenkinson, Lanzini, Payet)

17 October 2015

Att: 24,812

Ref: Mark Clattenburg

Adrian

Jenkinson

Collins

Tomkins

Cresswell

Kouyate

Noble (Carroll)

Moses (Zarate)

Lanzini

Payet

Sakho (Jelavic)

10 July 2015

ANGELO OGBONNA signs from Italian Serie A side JUVENTUS on a four-year contract

for an undisclosed fee believed to be €11 million spread over three financial years

15 July 2015

CARL JENKINSON rejoins the Club from ARSENAL on a 12-month loan deal

Cheikhou Kouyate struck a dramatic late equaliser to earn West Ham United a share of the spoils in a topsy-turvy affair with Norwich City at the Boleyn Ground. Alex Neil's Canaries drew first blood when Robbie Brady capitalised on a Mark Noble mistake to fire the visitors in front, before Diafra Sakho drew the Hammers level from a Dimitri Payet centre. England stopper John Ruddy pulled off a fine second-half stop to deny Sakho his second, while the excellent Adrian did likewise from both Jonny Howson and Cameron Jerome. Substitute Nathan Redmond restored the visitors' advantage with little more than five minutes to play, only for Kouyate to have the final word, smashing home from point-blank range in the third minute of added time.

West Ham United extended their unbeaten run in the league to five games after coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Sunderland. First-half goals from Steven Fletcher and Jeremain put the Black Cats in a commanding position, yet the Hammers dug deep and rallied through strikes from Carl Jenkinson and Dimitri Payet. The Hammers went into the game looking for their fourth consecutive away win of the season however a sluggish start to the game was punished as Steve Fletcher, unmarked from a free-kick, fired home to give the Black Cats an early lead. Just moments later, the hosts went close to doubling their lead as Fabio Borini worked a yard of space before smashing his effort into the side netting. A let off as the Stadium of Light was rocking. The Irons' first chance of the match fell to livewire Manuel Lanzini who carried the ball 40 yards before trying a speculative effort from range. Dick Advocaat's men made the most of their spell on top when Jeremain Lens picked up a loose pass in midfield and managed to pull off an audacious chip just out of Adrian's reach. 2-0 Sunderland who were value for their lead. Nevertheless, as the half wore on, the Hammers grew into the game, yet they had few chances to speak of and it was Borini who could, perhaps should, have put the game out of sight. The forward ran on to Ola Toivonen's exquisite flicked pass and fired inches wide of Adrian's right-hand post. This warning sign appeared to strike the visitors into life and they gave themselves a lifeline just before half-time after a sustained period of pressure resulted in Carl Jenkinson sweeping home Victor Moses' cross. 2-1 at the break and all to play for. Whatever Slaven Bilic said at half-time seemed to have the desired effect as the Claret and Blues came out with a much greater intensity and purpose. Sensing the change in tides, Sunderland became more compact in an attempt to see the game out; however their task was made much harder when Lens was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. The change in atmosphere was palpable. Bilic brought on Nikica Jelavic to add a further presence up front and the switch paid off as just after the hour mark, the Irons drew level thanks to superb work from Lanzini, a willing runner all day, who teed up Payet. The Frenchmen, clean through on goal, was never going to miss. Just moments later, Payet turned provider as he whipped in an inviting ball for Jelavic to hurl himself at. Somehow from under the cross bar the Croatian connected yet it ballooned up and over. Into the final minutes, Bilic's side were well on top yet could not quite find the final incisive ball. They enjoyed plenty of possession and balls into the box, yet Sunderland stood firm.

WATFORD : Barclays Premier League

Vicarage Road

0 - 2

31 October 2015

Att: 20,598

Ref: Keith Stroud

Adrian

Jenkinson

Tomkins

Collins

Cresswell

Noble (Jelavic)

Kouyate

Carroll

Lanzini (Zarate)

Moses (Valencia)

Payet

EVERTON : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Lanzini)

7 November 2015

Att: 34,977

Ref: Paul Tierney

Adrian

Jenkinson

Tomkins

Reid

Cresswell

Noble

Kouyate

Payet (Valencia) (Zarate)

Moses

Lanzini

Carroll (Jelavic)

WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Zarate)

29 November 2015

Att: 34,914

Ref: Martin Atkinson

Adrian

Jenkinson

Reid

Cresswell

Kouyate

Zarate (Antonio)

Obiang (Carroll)

Sakho (Jelavic)

Moses

Ogbonna

Lanzini

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Barclays Premier League

White Hart Lane

1 - 4 (Lanzini)

22 November 2015

Att: 35,968

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Adrian

Jenkinson

Tomkins

Reid

Cresswell

Noble (Song)

Kouyate

Sakho

Moses (Zarate)

Lanzini

Carroll (Jelavic)

6 October 2015

MORGAN AMALFITANO has left the club by mutual consent

The 30-year-old midfielder has departed the Club after 13 months at the Boleyn Ground, in which he made 32 appearances and scored

three goals. Amalfitano was disciplined for a breach of club rules by new manager, Slaven Bilic and was banned from the first-team squad and ordered

West Ham moved into third in the Premier League thanks to two late goals against 10-man Crystal Palace. The Hammers went in front through Carl Jenkinson, before Yohan Cabaye made it 1-1 with a twice-taken penalty. Dwight Gayle, who won the penalty, was shown a second yellow just before the break for a foul on Cheikhou Kouyate. With two minutes left Manuel Lanzini drove in before Dimitri Payet dinked his effort over Wayne Hennessey to seal victory for the Hammers. Palace manager Alan Pardew stuck by his recent policy of picking one striker up front - and today it was the turn of Gayle, who was only making his fourth league appearance of the season. The 24-year-old, who opted not to join Bristol City in the summer after an offer was accepted, was looking to impress his boss but ended up being a little over-zealous in his efforts. The warning signs were there when he brought down Payet, earning him a yellow card. Within moments he nudged Hammers keeper Adrian after the ball had gone out of play, and then came the second caution. Some will say it was soft, but he did catch Kouyate late, treading on top of the midfielder's foot. With a one-match ban to serve, he may find it hard to force his way back into the starting line-up with the likes of Connor Wickham, Fraizer Campbell, Bakary Sako and Patrick Bamford all vying for inclusion. The Hammers only managed four shots on target in the entire match, from which they scored three times. Playing against 10-man Palace in the second half, they only conjured up eight efforts on goal - the same as in the first 45 minutes. The late, late show was purely down to Palace players tiring and West Ham having enough craft to break their resolve, with Lanzini central to

the home side's downfall. After slamming home the second, Lanzini then played a delightful pass for Payet's deft strike. They were the only two efforts on target the Hammers managed after the break, but the Slaven Bilic's men made them count.

Chelsea had midfielder Nemanja Matic and manager Jose Mourinho sent off as Andy Carroll's late winner dealt their faltering title defence another blow. Mauro Zarate fired the Hammers in front when Chelsea failed to clear a corner. Matic was sent off after being booked twice in nine minutes before the break, and Mourinho joined him after speaking to referee Jon Moss at half-time. Gary Cahill levelled from a corner but Carroll met Aaron Cresswell's cross to send the Hammers third in the table. Chelsea, who have now lost five of their first 10 Premier League games this season, continue to languish in the bottom half. As well as Matic and Mourinho, the Blues' assistant first-team coach Silvino Louro was also dismissed. Chelsea had five other players booked in a stormy east versus west London derby, the last to be played at Upton Park in the league before West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium next summer. Zarate's goal, after Dimitri Payet's corner was not cleared, meant West Ham led at the break but his goal was not the decisive moment of the first half. That came when Matic slipped out on the right by-line and dragged down Diafra Sakho. The Chelsea midfielder had been booked nine minutes earlier for hauling back Cheikhou Kouyate as West Ham looked to break. Referee Moss took his time before showing Matic a second yellow card, which brought a furious response from Chelsea. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were booked as the visiting players lost their discipline, while Louro was sent from the bench. Mourinho continued his protests at half-time and was sent to the stands for the second half after going to speak to Moss in the referee's room. He was stood among West Ham fans when Carroll scored, but disappeared from view soon afterwards. Matic's first booking came seconds after Chelsea thought they had equalised. Kurt Zouma rose to head Cesc Fabregas's corner goalwards, but a combination of defender Carl Jenkinson and goalkeeper Adrian kept it out - just - before the whole ball crossed the line. Chelsea were also denied by another marginal decision when a Fabregas goal was ruled out for offside moments before Matic was dismissed. When Chelsea did draw level, through Cahill's opportunistic second-half finish from Willian's corner, West Ham rethought their approach. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic threw on Carroll for the last 20 minutes and the home side began pumping crosses into the box. Carroll is yet to start a Premier League game this season because of a summer setback following a serious knee injury in February, but is getting closer to full fitness. He was not just on for match minutes against Chelsea, however, and had the desired impact with his first goal since January. "It's impossible to mark him in the box," Bilic said afterwards. "His quality was never in question. If he's in good shape now we have a good chance that he will be injury-free for a long time. In that case West Ham and England will benefit from that a lot."

West Ham United slipped to their first away defeat of the season following a 2-0 defeat away to Watford. Two goals from Odion Ighalo, one either side of half-time helped the Premier League new boys to their second consecutive win. While the Hammers initially started full of verve and confidence, it was the Hornets who set about dictating play. Nathan Ake and Ikechi Anya's pace combined with Ighalo and Troy Deeney's guile and strength proved too much to handle. The first moment of real note came ten minutes into the match as Almen Abdi's corner led to a goalmouth scramble. First Ake, then Deeney fired goalward but the Hammers had Andy Carroll to thank for a fantastic block. The Watford faithful screamed for a penalty yet replays showed the big number nine got his head to it. However, the Hammers were not without chances of their own. Victor Moses, reinstated to the side after missing the Chelsea game, looked dangerous down the right flank, shooting just wide of Heurelho Gomes' far post. Moments later it didn't take long before Dimitri Payet showed his eminent class. He picked the ball up with seemingly little on, a couple of flicks later; he shot goalward which tested Gomes' reflexes. Down the other end the Hammers had Adrian to thank as Ikechi Anya had the beating of Tomkins yet the Spaniard dashed off his line and cleared in the knick of time. With five to go before the break, the hosts made their dominance count in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Carroll dallied on the ball in his own box and was robbed by livewire Ake. He pulled a dangerous cross into the six yard box which was steered in via a combination of Ighalo and Aaron Cresswell.

During the interval, Slaven Bilic knew he had to make changes and utilised a strong looking bench by bringing on Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia in place of Manuel Lanzini and Victor Moses. However any shift in momentum was soon dented as Ighalo doubled Watford's advantage following a quick break away. The Hornet's top goalscorer showed his typical composure by finishing well.

Slaven Bilic was left frustrated after Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia went off injured in West Ham's 1-1 draw with Everton. Payet, the Hammers' leading scorer in the Premier League this season, was caught from behind by a scissor tackle from James McCarthy in the first half. He went off shortly after half-time and his replacement, Valencia, was also forced off following a sliding tackle from Seamus Coleman. Asked about the tackle on Payet, Hammers manager Bilic told Sky Sports: "I didn't see it but I was told it should have been red. "I saw it was a foul from behind and they made a few of them. We had our player injured and we don't know how bad it is, but it was bad enough for him not to finish the game. "It is a big blow for us. Payet is our main player with the ball and I am not happy with the injury. "Enner did really well when he came on and we looked dangerous but then he got injured. Those are the only things I am not happy about." "Until the scans nobody knows long they will be out for, hopefully they will be okay for Spurs and it's good we have the international break." The Hammers have not beaten Everton in the Premier League since 2007 and they were pegged back by Romelu Lukaku's equaliser after Manuel Lanzini's 30th-minute opener. While Bilic said Everton's goal was "cheap", he was pleased with his side's reaction after their 2-0 defeat to Watford the previous weekend. "It was important to put in a good performance in front of our fans and we looked like a good team," he said. "We are not happy because we didn't win, but they deserved a point too. We tried to get all three but it wasn't the case."

MANCHESTER UNITED : Barclays Premier League

Old Trafford

0 - 0

5 December 2015

Att: 75,350

Ref: Mark Clattenburg

Adrian

Tomkins

Reid

Ogbonna

Cresswell

Noble

Song (Obiang)

Kouyate

Moses (Antonio)

Zarate (Jenkinson)

Carroll

SWANSEA CITY : Barclays Premier League

Liberty Stadium

0 - 0

20 December 2015

Att: 20,661

Ref: Lee Mason

Adrian

Tomkins

Collins

Ogbonna

Cresswell

Song (Obiang)

Noble

Zarate (Valencia)

Kouyate

Antonio (Jenkinson)

Jelavic

STOKE CITY : Barclays Premier League

Upton Park

0 - 0

12 December 2015

Att: 34,857

Ref: Andre Marriner

Adrian

Tomkins

Collins

Ogbonna

Cresswell

Song (Valencia)

Noble

Antonio (Jelavic)

Kouyate

Zarate

Carroll

Image courtesy of John Northcutt

West Ham United's winless Barclays Premier League run stretched to three matches as Tottenham Hotspur scored a 4-1 win at White Hart Lane. Two goals from the in-form Harry Kane and one apiece from Toby Alderweireld and Kyle Walker were enough for Spurs to secure the local derby spoils in north London, and render Manuel Lanzini's late rocket a mere consoltation. Cheikhou Kouyate saw his scissor-kick leave Hugo Lloris' crossbar shaking seconds after Kane's opener, but in truth Mauricio Pochettino's side were deserved winners on a cold afternoon in N17. Prior to kick-off, thoughts turned to events in Paris nine days previously, where more than 130 people lost their lives in a series of horrific terrorist attacks. The French national anthem was played before both teams joined for a team photo in a show of support and solidarity.

West Ham United drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion to climb to seventh in the Barclays Premier League. In a tight affair, Mauro Zarate, the Hammers' Man of the Match, opened the scoring with an inch-perfect free-kick after 17 minutes before Rickie Lambert equalised via a deflection shortly after the re-start. On a chilly November day Slaven Bilic made three changes to the side that lost to Tottenham last weekend. In came Angelo Ogbonna, Pedro Obiang and Mauro Zarate in place of James Tomkins and Andy Carroll, both started on the bench while skipper Mark Noble sat out through suspension. The Hammers enjoyed the first chance of the game through Zarate as he fired just wide after being played through by compatriot Manuel Lanzini. The Baggies responded in kind through powerful striker Salomon Rondon who, with seemingly little on, fired marginally wide of the left-hand post from distance. On 17 minutes, Zarate more than made up for his earlier miss by scoring an absolute peach of free-kick from 25-yards out. The forward made the Baggies pay after Diafra Sakho was manhandled, he sized up his angles and arrowed a shot that gave Boaz Myhill little chance of saving. Moments later, Cheikhou Kouyate went close to doubling the lead following a superb delivery by Aaron Cresswell. Kouyate timed his run to meet the pinpoint cross yet his header nestled just wide of the far post. Lanzini and Zaratecontinued to impress as the Hammers took their deserved lead into the half-time break. Sensing the Hammers' dominance, Tony Pulis made a change by bringing Rickie

Lambert on in place of Stephane Sessegnon and the changed paid dividends five minutes into the second half as Lambert's shot took a massive deflection off Winston Reid which wrong-footed Adrian.

Manchester United dropped to fourth in the Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by West Ham. The visitors had the better chances in the contest, hitting the post twice in quick succession through Mauro Zarate followed by Winston Reid's header. Zarate dragged an effort wide in the second half and Marouane Fellaini forced Adrian into a smart save. Striker Anthony Martial struck a shot narrowly wide as the hosts failed to break down West Ham. Louis van Gaal's side have conceded just once at home in the league all season, but their problems lie at the other end of the pitch, where they found the target only once from 20 efforts against the Hammers. It meant they missed the chance to go second and take advantage of rivals Manchester City's 2-0 loss at Stoke. It could have been worse, though, had midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger been sent off for raising his arm at West Ham defender Reid in the first half - the incident went unpunished by the referee.

West Ham were held by Stoke in a scrappy but entertaining goalless draw. The visitors produced an impressive attacking display to beat Manchester City last week, but could not find the same form again. Marco van Ginkel, brought in for the injured Xherdan Shaqiri, had Stoke's best chance in the first half but he put wide from close range. West Ham enjoyed more action in front of goal but they were denied time after time by Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland. It means the Hammers have now gone six games without a win in the league - their last victory coming against Chelsea on 24 October although they have picked up four draws in that period. Stoke City have now kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games. The draw saw the hosts slip one place to eighth while the Potters remain 11th.

Swansea City remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were held by a West Ham side who recorded a third straight goalless draw. The managerless Swans dominated the first half as Ki Sung-yueng and Andre Ayew missed good chances. Jack Cork had a spectacular volley saved by Adrian after the break, while Swansea appealed in vain for a penalty for a James Collins handball. Swansea stay 18th, two points from safety, while West Ham remain eighth. The Hammers had to settle for a fifth draw from six Premier League games, but the result will have been frustrating for the Swans, who have now won only one of their last 13 league matches.

West Ham United drew for the fifth Barclays Premier League fixture in a row after failing to land a Boxing Day knockout at bottom club Aston Villa. The Hammers looked on course for a welcome first win in eight games when Aaron Cresswell smashed home in first-half stoppage time, only for Jordan Ayew's penalty to grab Villa a deserved point. The first half was a competitive affair, even if the quality of play in the final third may not have been up to the standard demanded by Slaven Bilic and Remi Garde. With injuries again depriving Bilic of six first-team players, including five attackers, the visitors struggled to create the clear-cut opportunities needed to put the game beyond Villa after Cresswell's long-range strike.

West Ham United ended 2015 in style as two second-half goals in the space of ten minutes fired the Hammers to victory over Southampton at the Boleyn Ground. After Dusan Tadic had diverted Shane Long's cross beyond Adrian - albeit via the unfortunate Carl Jenkinson - in the 13th minute, the Saints threatened to inflict further damage in a difficult opening 45. But Slaven Bilic's men came out fighting after the interval and eventually turned the game on its head. Michail Antonio levelled matters when an attempted clearance cannoned off his head and looped over Maarten Stekelenburg, before the returning Andy Carroll nodded home from point blank range to earn the Hammers a first win in nine in front of a jubilant Boleyn Ground. Bilic made two changes to the side held at Villa Park on Boxing Day, with Jenkinson replacing the injured Aaron Cresswell at left-back, while Pedro Obiang made way for Alex Song - the latter again sporting protective eyewear.